Page 20 of Fostering Chemistry
“What’s the deal with you and Aaron?”
“We’re watching a show,” I said pointedly.
“You’ve been hanging out a lot lately.”
“That’s because we’re friends.”
“Yeah, I saw how friendly you two were in your room the other day.”
The image of Aaron hovering over me on my mattress—when we tried to flip it—flashed in my head. My cheeks burned, but I kept my face neutral.
But he kept going.
“So is it his money?”
That made me blink in surprise. “His what?”
“Didn’t you know he’s loaded? He got adopted into the first family of Chattanooga.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“It’s not New York money, but around here? They’re a big deal.”
I turned my face back to the TV and grabbed the remote, knuckles tight. I didn’t want to be in this conversation.
It was only loyalty to Aaron that kept me from pressing play to drown out Raymond.
He laughed. “It’s all good. You do you. Now go in the kitchen and make me a sandwich.”
I willed my face not to react, pressed my lips together, and didn’t even look at him. I’d had plenty of experience with guys saying things to get a rise out of me.
“Really? Nothing to say to that? You’re no fun.”
Raymond and I had very different ideas of fun. He stood and sauntered away, shoulders bouncing with a smug sort of pride.
The smell of buttery popcorn arrived a second before Aaron did. He stepped back into the room, brows raised slightly as if trying to read the tension.
Aaron set the bowl on the coffee table. “What do you want to drink?”
“Nothing.”
“You can’t have popcorn without anything to drink.”
“Can we just watch TV?”
Something in my tone had Aaron pause, then nod once and sit down next to me again, closer this time.
Before I could press play, he asked, “Was Raymond bothering you?”
“No.” Which wasn’t entirely true, but I didn’t want to badmouth Raymond in front of his housemate.
There was an awkward pause.
“Was he flirting with you?” Aaron finally asked.
My jaw dropped as I thought it over. It hadn’t even occurred to me.
Aaron was watching me, waiting for an answer.
